Student Orientation & Curriculum Guide 
Policies and Procedures
Recommended Supplies, Books, and Tools
For the Beginner Beader and Wire Worker

Many students ask What do we need to get started?   CBJA provides lists below of recommended supplies, books and tools.

For the Beginner Beader:

The Complete Guide to Beading Techniques (Jane Davis)
The Beader's Companion (Judith Durant & Jean Campbell/Beadwork Magazine)
The Basics of Bead Stringing (Debbie Kanan)
Introduction to Beadwork-Bracelets  (The Beadworkers Guild)
Creative Bead Weaving (Carol Wilcox Wells)

We suggest you begin to assemble a palate of beads (and jewelry findings), like a painter would assemble a palate of paints.    You want to build up a supply of beads in the full color spectrum, in different sizes.

You will also need:
chain nose pliers (smooth on the inside, not ridged)
round nose pliers  (perfectly round, not flat on one side)
wire cutters or flush cutters
scissors
nymo thread size D, 2 #10 english beading needles, beeswax
soft flex or tigertail cable wire
assortment of jewelry findings, including clasps, crimp beads, earring parts, spacer bars

For the Beginner Wire Worker:

All Wired Up (Mark Lareau)
Moods in Wire (Ellsworth Sinclair)
Moods in Brass & Glass (Ellsworth Sinclair)
Making Bead and Wire Jewelry (Dawn Cusick)
Great Wire Jewelry  (Irene From Peterson)

You will want an assortment of wires in different metals and gauges, particularly 18-, 20-, 22- and 24- gauge round wires.   You may also want 22- and 20-gauge square wire.   We recommend that you purchase wire in "half-hard" state if possible; otherwise, "dead soft".   We do not recommend "hard".